Page 113 of Ruthless Serenade

Six months later

The mountain air cuts clean and sharp against my skin.

Wildflowers perfume the majestic cliffs, their scent carried on winds that whisper through the surrounding grove like ancient secrets. But fuck all of that. I couldn’t care less about the scent or the scenery right now.

Here I stand on this balcony, in my custom Italian suit, feeling like some lovesick teenager with his first crush. Sleep was a stranger last night, and my gut’s been twisting itself into knots since dawn broke. But then, you only get one shot at marrying the love of your life.

Today, Mindy becomes mine in every way that matters. We’re binding ourselves together at this mountain resort, this slice of heaven she chose. She fell in love with the place when I brought her here before, and seeing her eyes light up then was all I needed. Her happiness is my religion now, so naturally, I bought out the entire fucking hotel for the weekend.

We decided to keep things intimate - twenty people, more or less. Only friends, family, and the ones who’ve earned their place in our inner circle. Betty stands as Mindy’s witness, while Pavel takes his place as mine. My brother not by blood but by the sacred bonds of Bratva, forged through years of backing each other’s plays and surviving shit.

There will be another wedding soon. Life’s got a sick sense of humor sometimes - Maurice and Alexis are next in line for their own vows. When Maurice told me about meeting someone in rehab, someone who understood his demons, I never thought it’d be Mindy’s sister. But fuck it, I’m happy for them. Sobriety’s a bitch of a battle, but they’re fighting it together.

Down the hall, I catch sight of Sharon practicing her walk, that velvet pillow with our rings clutched in her small hands like precious cargo. My little princess in powder blue takes this job more seriously than some of my former lieutenants took theirs. The sight of her hits me right in the chest, a sweet kind of pain. A few years back, I would’ve laughed in the face of anyone who said I’d have this - a daughter who looks at me like I hung the moon, a real family, a future worth protecting.

It's time, Korolev.

I take a deep breath and head for the altar, fighting to keep my face neutral so I don’t look like some lovesick fool. Because that’s exactly what I am: a fucking fool drunk on love.

Pavel and Betty are already there waiting, and nearby stands Sharon, clutching that velvet pillow like it holds the crown jewels, practicing her curtsy for the tenth time. My chest tightens watching her - my little girl, determined to make everything perfect for her mama and papa’s wedding day.

"Getting cold feet, boss?" Pavel murmurs, barely hiding his smirk.

"Never." I shoot back with a grin. "But promise to catch me if I pass out when I see Mindy."

Pavel’s quiet laughter fills the air. "Always got your back, boss." He throws a wink at Sharon, who lights up like a Christmas tree.

The music starts right then, and the doors swing wide. Holy fuck. There she is. My brilliant, fierce goddess of a woman.

Her white dress, custom-made to showcase our growing miracle, flows from her shoulders like liquid starlight. The subtle curve of her belly, carrying our twins, makes her glow like something out of a dream. She’s holding blue flowers in one hand, and fuck… that smile of hers goes straight to my cock. She’s a fucking vision in white, and it’s taking every ounce of my control not to claim her right here on this altar.

"You’re breathtaking,lisichka," I manage to say as she reaches me, drinking in every detail of her face, her body, this moment.

"You clean up pretty nice yourself," she whispers with a wink.

Our eyes lock, and suddenly the world could burn down around us for all I care – it’s just her and me. Until Father Mikhaylov’s pointed cough drags us back to reality.

"We gather here today in the sight of God and in the presence of these witnesses to join Melinda Grace Williams and Maron Anatoly Korolev in holy matrimony. Today, we celebrate the love and commitment that these two share, as they pledge to journey through life together as one."

I couldn’t tear my eyes away from Mindy if my life depended on it. She’s fucking radiant, her hand drifting now and then to the swell of her belly where our twins are growing strong. And there’s our Sharon, standing proud beside her mother, holding that ring pillow like she’s guarding the actual crown jewels. My girls. My family.

"Melinda Grace Williams, do you take this man to be your husband and promise to love him and care for him through thickand thin till the day you die?" Father Mikhaylov’s voice carries across the altar.

Mindy’s eyes catch the evening light, turning them that bewitching shade of green that first drew me in. "I do," she answers, her voice steady.

Holy fuck.

She said yes!

Father Mikhaylov turns to me. "Maron Anatoly Korolev, do you take this woman to be your lawfully wedded wife and promise to love her and care for her through thick and thin till the day you die?"

Looking into those eyes that have seen the darkness in me and loved me anyway, I say, "I do."

At Father Mikhaylov’s nod, Sharon steps forward, practically glowing with the importance of her duty. My hands - hands that have done more shit than anyone else’s in this room - almost tremble as I take Mindy’s ring.

The father smiles. "Then, I’m happy to pronounce you husband and wife," he announces, before turning to me with knowing eyes. "You may now kiss the bride."

He doesn’t have to say it twice.

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